About Academics Admissions and Aid Research Student Life Athletics

Federal Employee Discount for CMU Online Programs

All civil service Federal employees, spouses, and their dependents receive the Federal Employee Discount (FED), a 15 percent tuition discount and an application fee waiver to CMU Online thanks to an agreement with the Federal Government. The agreement applies to online programs and classes taken at CMU's satellite locations.

Plus, since CMU Online does not have different "in-state" and "out-of-state" tuition rates, this discount will be taken off the same tuition rate available for your program regardless of your location or course format.

Gain the skills and knowledge you want and the credentials you need to achieve your career goals through programs customized to fit the needs of working students. CMU Online offers:​

  • condensed 8-week courses
  • online, face-to-face, o​r hybrid formats
  • master’s and bachelor’s degrees
  • certificate programs

​​​​​​If you have a specific question regarding the Federal Employee Discount (FED) not addressed below or need assistance with the process, please call 877-268-4636.

How to apply

To complete the process, follow these steps:

1. Apply online

2. Scan and attach your most recent Leave and Earnings Statement to establish that you are a Federal employee.

  • If the applicant is the spouse or dependent of a Federal employee, you must also include only page one from your most recent Federal income tax return. This should be scanned and uploaded as part of the application process.
  • If your Leave and Earnings Statement or most recent Federal income tax form are not available to upload at the time of application (when you click submit), the missing documentation can be emailed to tvoucher@cmich.edu or mailed to: Central Michigan University, Attn: Transcripts Department, 802 Industrial Drive, Mount Pleasant, MI. 48858 USA. Please indicate your full name as it is on your application to CMU and that this information is for the Federal Employee Discount rate.

3. To use the application fee waiver when you apply, under "How did you hear about us?" check "Other" and put in the fee waiver code: FED1517. On the "Final Confirmation" page, click "By Mail" as how you will pay your application fee. Do not send in the money. Your application fee will be waived. You can still apply without using the application fee waiver if you prefer.

4. Request official transcripts. This can be a lengthy process, be sure to have the registrar mail official transcript(s) directly to:

Central Michigan University
Attn: Transcript Department
802 Industrial Drive
Mount Pleasant, MI. 48858 USA

or email the transcript(s) to transcripts@cmich.edu.

To process your application we must receive:

For Undergraduate Programs

  • Official high school or GED transcripts if you have not attended another regionally accredited two-or-four-year college or university.
  • Or, official transcripts from each of your previously attended regionally accredited colleges or universities. 

For Graduate Programs

  • Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.
  • You must hold a baccalaureate or equivalent degree from a regionally accredited institution. GPA requirements vary by program.
  • The program you are applying to may have additional requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

More than 30 academic programs are available, including select CMU Online certificates, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and the Doctor of Health Administration.

This tuition savings does not apply to other doctoral programs and excludes the Master of Science in Information Systems, Master of Entrepreneurial Ventures, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Find My Program

All civil service Federal government employees, spouses, and their dependents are eligible to receive the FED. Dependents are identified as those that qualify under the existing IRS definition of a qualifying dependent. Federal employment can be verified with a Federal Leave and Earnings Statement, with additional documentation needed to verify dependents. Examples of acceptable documents include page 1 of your tax return, a marriage license, or a birth certificate.

View IRS definition

Yes. You also may qualify for numerous merit-based scholarships available through CMU. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) financial aid code for CMU is 002243.

Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid

CMU welcomes transfer credits from regionally accredited institutions. The maximum number of transfer credits that can be applied toward your degree program depends on where the credits are transferring from and what degree you pursue. Learn more about transfer students.

Transfer Student Information

CMU recognizes the value of your learning through professional and life experiences through Prior Learning Credit. A maximum of 60 undergraduate credits are 10 graduate credits may be applied toward your degree from Prior Learning.

Prior Learning Credit

General education for undergraduate programs at CMU consists of two areas of liberal study and achievement, University Program and Competency Requirements, which are required of all students.

View bulletin

The FSLRP permits agencies to repay federally-insured student loans as a recruitment or retention incentive for candidates or current employees of the agency. The program implements 5 U.S.C. 5379, which authorizes agencies to set up their own student loan repayment programs to attract or retain highly qualified employees. This is offered strictly by each individual agency.

Student loan repayment program

The PSLF Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, borrowers may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance of their Direct Loans after they have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full time by certain public service employers.